Tooth Extraction

There are times when tooth extraction is the best way to address certain oral health issues. For example, if tooth decay is too advanced to be treated with a root canal, extraction can prevent infection of the bone and gum tissue. In other instances, a tooth may be causing surrounding teeth to become impacted. Dr. Craig Hine can assess your symptoms and determine if tooth extraction is necessary. Our Bixby, OK, practice uses modern techniques and technology to make tooth extraction comfortable and beneficial.

Candidacy

Dr. Hine may recommend tooth extraction if:

One or more teeth are severely crowding the other teeth in the arch, creating pain and misalignment.

A tooth has a severe infection that cannot be eliminated with a root canal.

A baby tooth has failed to fall out and make room for permanent teeth.

A tooth has severe structural damage due to trauma.

The gums surrounding a tooth have become so severely receded and infected due to periodontal disease that they can no longer support it.

The surrounding jaw bone has become too receded or damaged to support the tooth.

Severely crowded teeth may require extraction.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In order to determine whether a tooth should be extracted, Dr. Hine will perform an in-depth examination including x-rays to understand the full scope of your oral health. When a tooth needs to be extracted, Dr. Hine will gently inject a local anesthetic into the gum line near the tooth. After the area has been sufficiently numbed, he will carefully loosen the tooth within its socket, then remove it using forceps. If necessary, he may incise the soft tissue surrounding the tooth to extract it more easily.

You can depend on Dr. Hine to maintain your comfort throughout the procedure and help you start a new phase of excellent oral health.

Dr. Hine understands that many patients have difficulty relaxing in the dentist's chair due to anxiety, conditions such as arthritis, and other factors. To accommodate these patients, we offer sedation dentistry that can induce deep relaxation and increased comfort. During the planning phase of your treatment, we encourage patients to be frank about their needs so that we can take steps to maintain comfort.

Recovery from Extraction

After your tooth extraction, Dr. Hine may prescribe pain medication, anti-inflammatories, or antibiotics if your tooth was infected. In the days following the procedure, you may experience some swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.

If you have experienced some bone recession at the extraction site, Dr. Hine can perform a bone grafting procedure. This involves placing donor tissue to restore the jaw, setting the stage for replacing the tooth. You have several restorative options. In most cases, the best solution is dental implants, which are titanium posts that replace tooth roots and support crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Schedule Your Consultation

When tooth extraction becomes necessary, you can depend on Dr. Hine to maintain your comfort throughout the procedure and help you start a new phase of excellent oral health. If you are experiencing a toothache, severe misalignment, or other oral health issues, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.